In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the European Parliament welcomes Moldova’s EU membership application, saying the country is on the right track in adopting key reforms, Report informs.
The text, approved by a show of hands, says Moldova has been disproportionately affected by the Russian war in neighbouring Ukraine. (RA) This is mainly due to the arrival of more than 450,000 Ukrainian refugees since the invasion began - nearly 100,000 of whom remain in Moldova - but also due to lost trade and increased energy and transport prices.
To this end, MEPs call on the EU to provide more support for the country, i.e. via new macro-financial assistance, further transport and trade liberalisation measures, and continued support for refugee management and humanitarian purposes.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Parliament welcomes Moldova’s formal EU membership application on 3 March 2022 and says the EU should grant it candidate status, in line with Article 49 TEU and ‘on the basis of merit’. In the meantime, the European Union and Moldova should continue to work on integrating the country into the EU single market and on enhanced sectoral cooperation.
MEPs call on the European Commission to swiftly complete its application assessment and provide Moldova with its full assistance while this is ongoing. They say that, without prejudging the content of the Commission’s opinion, the Moldovan authorities are undoubtedly on the right track by adopting key reforms, notably on democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.